Chubu Economic Federation picks JR Central adviser Tsuge as chairman
In short
The Chubu Economic Federation said on Oct. 5 that chairman Tetsu Katsuno had resigned and that it elected JR Central adviser Yasuhide Tsuge as his successor the same day. Katsuno, a Chubu Electric special adviser, stepped down over the data falsification problem at the Hamaoka nuclear plant in Shizuoka Prefecture, after saying on Sept. 14 he would leave both posts. Tsuge, the first Chukeiren chairman from JR Central, told a news conference in Nagoya he would devote his full effort and called the data problem a very weighty issue.
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The Chubu Economic Federation announced on Oct. 5 that chairman Tetsu Katsuno, a Chubu Electric special adviser, had resigned and that it had elected JR Central adviser Yasuhide Tsuge as his successor effective the same day, according to Asahi Shimbun and TBS News DIG. Tokyo Shimbun also reported that Tsuge took the post and that Katsuno, who came from Chubu Electric, was stepping down. Asahi Shimbun reported that the decision was made at an extraordinary board meeting that day and that Tsuge is the first person from JR Central to head the federation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Katsuno's departure follows the data falsification problem at the Hamaoka nuclear plant in Shizuoka Prefecture, according to Asahi Shimbun and TBS News DIG. Asahi Shimbun reported that Katsuno announced on Sept. 14 that he would resign as chairman of both Chubu Electric and the federation to take responsibility for the problem. TBS News DIG reported that Katsuno had resigned as Chubu Electric chairman and had indicated he would give up the federation post as well, and that he resigned as federation chairman effective Oct. 5. [ 2 , 3 ]
Speaking at a news conference in Nagoya on Oct. 5, Tsuge said: “Amid an unexpectedly sudden change, I feel a great sense of resolve. I intend to devote my full effort, thinking of this as my final service in my working life.” [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
On the data problem, Tsuge said, “It is a very weighty issue,” adding that he wants reforms such as preventing recurrence to be carried out steadily and trust to be restored, Asahi Shimbun reported. He also said Chubu Electric is infrastructure indispensable to industry and daily life in the Chubu region and must continue to play a major role in the region's development. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The change puts a JR Central executive at the head of the Chubu region's main business federation for the first time, in a region where Chubu Electric is described by the incoming chairman as essential infrastructure for industry and daily life. The fallout from the Hamaoka data problem is still shaping the utility's leadership, and Tsuge said he wants reforms to proceed and trust to be restored. The documents give no indication of the federation's policy direction beyond those remarks.
Key facts
- The Chubu Economic Federation elected JR Central adviser Yasuhide Tsuge as its new chairman on Oct. 5, effective the same day. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Chairman Tetsu Katsuno, a Chubu Electric special adviser, resigned the same day. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Katsuno's departure follows the data falsification problem at the Hamaoka nuclear plant in Shizuoka Prefecture. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Tsuge is the first person from JR Central to head the federation, Asahi Shimbun reported. [ 2 ]
- The decision was taken at an extraordinary board meeting on Oct. 5, Asahi Shimbun reported. [ 2 ]
- Katsuno announced on Sept. 14 that he would resign as chairman of both Chubu Electric and the federation to take responsibility for the data problem, Asahi Shimbun reported. [ 2 ]
- Tsuge said he would devote his full effort, “thinking of this as my final service in my working life.” [ 2 , 3 ]
- Tsuge called the data problem “a very weighty issue” and said he wants reforms such as preventing recurrence to proceed and trust to be restored. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Chubu Economic Federation selected JR Central adviser Yasuhide Tsuge as its new chairman on Oct. 5. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Chairman Tetsu Katsuno resigned and is leaving the post. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The leadership change was announced on Oct. 5. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Katsuno's departure is connected to the Hamaoka nuclear plant data falsification problem. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- What the Hamaoka data falsification problem involved and how it came to light. The documents refer to the problem as the reason for Katsuno's resignation but do not describe the data involved or how it was discovered.
- When Katsuno's resignation as Chubu Electric chairman took effect and who will succeed him at the utility. Asahi Shimbun reported that Katsuno announced on Sept. 14 he would resign as Chubu Electric chairman, and TBS News DIG reported he had resigned as Chubu Electric chairman, but the documents do not give the effective date or a successor.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Sept. 14: Chubu Electric chairman Tetsu Katsuno announces he will resign as chairman of both Chubu Electric and the Chubu Economic Federation to take responsibility for the Hamaoka data problem. [ 2 ]
- Oct. 5: The federation holds an extraordinary board meeting, elects JR Central adviser Yasuhide Tsuge as chairman the same day, and Katsuno steps down. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Oct. 5, afternoon: Tsuge holds a news conference in Nagoya, saying he feels a great sense of resolve amid an unexpectedly sudden change. [ 1 , 2 ]